Wound healing is a multipart process involving different cell types and growth factors. Third-degree burns are usually treated by early excision and skin grafting. Tissue engineering has been developed in this field in response to limitations associated with autografts. Allogeneic fibroblasts on meshed split thickness skin grafts (STSGs) are known to have useful properties in wound healing and can be used to construct a new model of living skin substitute. Fourteen patients were chosen from June 2009 until December 2010 as the sample for this study. After debridement and wound excision, meshed STSG was used to cover the entire wound. Alloskin (allofibroblasts cultured on a combination of silicone and glycosaminoglycan) was applied on one side and petroleum jelly-impregnated gauze (Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute) was applied on the other. The healing time, scar formation, and pigmentation score were assessed for the patients. All analyses were undertaken with SPSS 17 software. Alloskin demonstrated good properties compared to petroleum jelly-impregnated gauze. The average healing time and hypertrophic scar formation were significantly different between the two groups. In addition, the skin pigmentation score in the alloskin group was closer to normal. Alloskin grafting, including fibroblasts on meshed STSG, may be a useful method to reduce healing time and scar size and may require less autologous STSG in extensive burns where a high percentage of skin is burned and there is a lack of available donor sites.

Background Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid analog which seems to be effective in different neuropathic pains, as well as in incisional and inflammatory injuries. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of pregabalin on pain relief post herniorrhaphy. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 60 men were chosen for unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy under spinal anesthesia. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. The investigation (pregabalin) group received 300 mg of oral pregabalin 2 h before and 150 mg of pregabalin 12 and 24 h after surgery in addition to routine postoperative medication and 1 mg/kg of pethidine as needed. The control (placebo) group received placebo capsules similar to the investigation group, as well as routine medication and 1 mg/kg of pethidine as needed. All surgeries were done with the same technique. Post-surgery pain was evaluated in the walking and lying positions with a visual analog scale at 12 and 24 h and at 3 and 7 days after the surgery. Pethidine consumption and adverse effects of pregabalin were also assessed. Results The investigation group had less pain and lower visual analog scale scores at 12 and 24 h and also at 3 days after surgery and consumed less pethidine compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions Pregabalin reduces pain and opioid consumption in the first 3 days after surgery. The adverse effects of pregabalin are limited to the first 12 h after surgery. Pregabalin can be suggested for pain relief, but it should be used with caution in the elderly.